Violence against truckers in Mexico is no longer just a complaint from domestic carriers; the United States has joined the chorus of voices expressing concerns about millions of dollars in losses and the lack of action to guarantee highway safety.
At the beginning of the month, the U.S. National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) submitted a request for comment on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), explaining that violence against truckers is one of the factors affecting the investment climate in North America.
The NFTC document identifies truckers as a key component of customs administration and trade facilitation, and points out that, specifically in Mexico, cargo theft is a problem with losses amounting to millions of dollars.
The U.S. council’s comments come in a year marked by trucker protests, particularly in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, where drivers have denounced the extortion and robberies they face on highways.
Furthermore, the criticism regarding cargo theft and its implications for the USMCA comes just days before the truckers’ strike on November 24, which, in alliance with farmers, promises highway blockades at various points across the country.
What are the US complaints about cargo theft in Mexico?
In its comments on the USMCA, the US National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) presented a series of concerns related to transportation in Mexico and highway robberies:
“The increase in cargo theft is a critical security concern affecting all NFTC members who trade in the region,” the document states.
They also thanked US trade representatives for prioritizing bilateral talks; however, “cargo security requires special attention, as the risks extend far beyond the border.”
Some of the main risks mentioned by the truckers are:
Significant costs.
Security risks for truckers.
Supply Chain Disruption
Investment Risks for Mexico
“These costs and disruptions affect both U.S. exports and imports, and when imports are inputs destined for further processing, they can cause manufacturing disruptions,” the U.S. council explained.
Finally, as a recommendation to the Trump administration, the council determined that they should obtain a commitment from Mexico regarding border security, with additional resources and viable security measures to guarantee cargo safety and prevent theft.
In this regard, the United States could offer technical assistance, intelligence sharing, and resources to prevent cargo theft through cooperation.
Truck Drivers’ Strike: When and at what time will it be?
Truck drivers will take to the streets this Monday, November 24, to protest against the violence and extortion they suffer daily in various parts of the country.
This demand has been ongoing for years, and the sector, according to its complaints, has received no response regarding the robberies and extortion payments demanded for cargo trucks to be allowed to operate.
Farmers and agricultural workers are also joining this strike, as they suffer extortion and “unfair” payments for their harvests. They are demanding action against the violence and the right to continue working.
The truckers’ strike is expected to begin in the early hours of Monday and will affect states such as Chihuahua, Michoacán, Jalisco, and Chiapas, with potential disruptions in Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Querétaro, Sonora, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Puebla.
Source: elfinanciero
